WhatsApp warning over fee to keep old messages leaves millions of users angry
WhatsApp users have been warned that backups on Android will soon start counting toward their Google Account storage limit and for many will no longer be free.
The update will start to be rolled out for WhatsApp Beta users next month before being gradually reaching all WhatsApp users on Android within the first few months of 2024. It's a blow to customers of the widely-used app, which will now only work if you have available storage within your account.
Old chats, photographs and videos will soon disappear unless you have storage or upgrade. Google confirmed “Going forward, WhatsApp backup experience on Android will be in line with how it works on other platforms, with the added benefit of Google's 15 GB of storage available at no charge.”
Backup storage for old conversations, photos and videos will soon no longer be free (Getty Images)Of around three billion WhatsApp users around the world, over two thirds access the app on Android, according to data. The update comes amid a huge overhaul of how Google controls online accounts. Many have taken to social media to complain about the prospect of paying more in the months ahead.
A Google community manager wrote in a blog post earlier this week: “As an important heads up, WhatsApp backups on Android will soon start counting toward your Google Account cloud storage limit, similar to how WhatsApp backups are handled on other mobile platforms.
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“WhatsApp backups on Android will continue to work, as long as you have available space within your Google Account storage. If you hit your storage limit, you’ll need to free up space to resume backups by removing items you do not need.” All accounts that have been inactive for more than two years will be deleted next month.
WhatsApp is a hugely popular instant messaging service available to smartphone users, which connects via the 3G or wireless network. In January 2015, it was announced that the WhatsApp service will be available on desktop computers too. Last week, users were told re about to get a brand new voice chat tool which could change the way group chats work forever.
The feature, called voice chats, allows you to start a group audio conversation with up to 128 people. Unlike an audio call, which rings the phones of every group participant at once, voice chats send a subtle push notification to users' devices inviting them to join.
The new feature is then designed to be a much less disruptive way of arranging an audio call for those larger group chats. To start a group voice chat, simply open a group chat with between 33 and 128 members. Then, tap the audio wave symbol in the top right corner of the screen (illustrated in the image above). Members of the group will then receive a push notification asking them to join.
Just be aware that any group member who doesn't join the voice chat will be able to see the profiles of those on the call. For group chats with 32 members or less, you will still be able to use the usual voice call feature by tapping the Phone icon in the top right of your phone screen. These large group voice chats were previously available to WhatsApp beta users, but have now been rolled out worldwide.
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